Automatic bread-making machine.



No. 66l,999. Patented Nov. 20, |900.

C. KESSLER.

AUTOMATIC BREAD MAKING MACHINE.

(Application led Dec. 5, 1899.)

(No Model.)

ma Noams versus co, Phew-umn, msnm-5mm ov c N0. 66I,'9.99. Patented Nov. 2U, |900.

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AUTOMATIC BREAD MAKING MACHINE. (Application mea Dec. 5, 1899.) (No Model.) Il Sheets-Sheet 2.

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Patented Nov. 20, |900. C. KESSLER.

AUTUMATIC BREAD MAKING MACHmE.

(Application filed Dec. 5, 1899.)

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N0. 66|,999. Patened NOV. 20, |900. C. KESSLER.'

AUTMATIG BREAD MAKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Dc. 5, 1899.)

Il Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

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Patented Nov. 20,' |900.

No. ea|,999.

C. KESSLER. AUTUMATIC BREAD MAKING MACHINE.

(Application led Dec. 5, 1B99.)'

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(No Model.)

No. 66|,999- Y Pafemd Nov. 2o, |900. c. KEssLER.

AUTOMATIC BREAD MAKING MACHNE. l

(Application filed Dec. 5, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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Patented Nov. 2b, |900.

C. KESSLER. AUTOMATIC BREAD MAKlNG MACHINE. (Application ied Dec. 5, 1899.) (No Model.) Il Sheets-Sheet 7.

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No. 66|,999. Patented Nov. 2o, |900. c. KEssLER.l

AUTOMATIC BIIEAIJ MAKING MACHINE.

(Applicat'ion led Dec. 5, 1899.) (No Model.) Il Sheets-Sheet 8.

"me Naam; PETERS co, FHoTuLrTno.. WASHINGTON. u. c.

Patented Nov. 20, |900.

No. senseo.

C. KESSLEB.

AUTOMATIC BREAD MAKING MACHINE.

(Application iled Dec. 5, 1899.)

ll Sheets-Sheet 9 (No Model.)

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No. 66|,999- Patentad nov. 2o, 1900..,

' C. KESSLER.

AUTOMATIC BREAD MAKING MACHINE.

(Appliention led Dec. 5, 1899.) (No Model.) Il Sheets-Sheet In.

m. 961,999.- Ptned Nov. 2o, |900. c. KEssLEn.

AUTOMATIC BREAD MAKING AIACHINE.v

(Application filed Dec. 5, 1899.) (No Modgl.) Il Sheets-Sheet 'Il `UNITED STATES PATENT @Fisica CHRISTIAN KEssLnR, or INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

UTOIVIATIC BREAD-IVIAKING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 661,999, dated November 20, 1900.

Application filed .December 5, 1899. Serial No. 739,305. (No model.)

To @ZZ wiz/om it may concern.:

Beit known that I, CHRISTIAN KEssLER, a subject of Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria- Hnngary, residing at No. 236 East Morris street, Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Bread- Making Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a machine for automatically forming or moldingloaves of bread; and it consists in the mechanism and means employed for performing the various operations necessary to form the loaves of bread, divide the dough into parts of equal size and weights, and to prepare the divided portions to be placed ln the baking-oven.

The object of this my invention is, first, to prepare the dough by specially arranged and designed mechanism to be rolled into a contin nous sliver of equal and uniform weight amTd''n-sitthen forced by suitable means into and through a forming-die, then to providea suitable means for dividing or separating the dough thus rolled into parts or loaves of equal sizes and weights and similar forms, andinally to provide means whereby the dough throughout its passage through the machine will be thoroughly floured or dusted and the divided portions of the dough or loaves will be fioured or dusted and iinished bysuitably-formed finishing-rollers and delivered completely formed ready to be placed in the baking-oven. I attain these objects by means of the mechanism illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which similar numerals of reference designate like parts throughout'- the several views.

Figure I is a side elevational view of the machine. Fig. 2 is aside sectional elevational view of the machine, taken through a plane passing longitudinally through the center of the machine. Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the machine, showing that side opposed to that of Fig. l. Fig. LL is a longitudinal sectional elevational enlarged detail view ofthe dough-receiving hopper and flour-bin andthe dough-receiving or feed rollers. Fig. 5 is an enlarged brokenbff transverse sectional elevational view of the flour-bin of the dough-receiving hopper and showing' the flour-agitators thereof. Fig. G is an enlarged detail side elevational view of the friction-pulley and its driving-cam and by which mechanism the dividing-knife is intermittently reciprocated. Fig. 7 is a broken-off enlarged longitudinal sectional elevational view showing the feed and the reducing or delivering rollers andthe means employed intermediate between said rolls for flouring or dusting the dough on both the top and bottom sides thereof at the same time and before entering between the reducing-rolls. Fig. 8 is au enlarged part transverse sectional elevational View of the machine,showing the reducing or delivering rolls thereof. Fig. 9 is an enlarged broken-olf side sectional elevational view showing the reducing or discharge rollers, the forming-die, and the dividing-knife. Fig. l0 is an enlarged detail front view of the forming-die, showing the forms of the receiving and discharging openings thereof. Fig. ll is a broken-off side elevational view of the adjustable frame for supporting the nishing-rollers. Fig. l2 isa broken-off transverse sectional view of the saine, taken through the line AB. (See Fig. Il.) Fig. 13 is a similar sectional View taken through thelineE F. (See, also, Fig. Il.) Fig. let is an enlarged detail View of the changespeed driving mechanism by which the driving-knife pulley is connected and by which the speed of the latter' is adjusted and regulated. Fig. is enlarged front and longitudinal sectional views of another form of forming-die that may be used in connection with this machine.

The main frame of this machine is composed of the side frames l and 2, which are maintained in vertical position and parallel to each other by suitable distance-frames 3, 4C, 5, and 6, which latter are bolted to said frames I and 2.

The dough-receiving or feed rollers consist of the master or fixed bottom roller 7 and the adjustable roller l0, and said roller 7 is preferably provided with suitable end flanges 8 for the purpose of preventing the dough as it passes between the said rollers from spreading out beyond the contacting surfaces thereof, and said roller 7 hasits end journals journaled in suitable box-bearings fitted in and supported by the standards 9, which latter are lfirmly and securely bolted to the top of the frames I and 2. The top or adjustable IOO feed-roller 10 is situated slightly in advance of the bottom roller 7 for the purpose of eX- posing a greater surface of the said roller 7 to the dough contained in the dough-receiving hopper hereinafter described, and said roller 10 has its end journals journaled in suitable box-bearings 12, which latter are adapted to slide in the inclined ways 13, formed in the standards 9. The boxes 12 are each` caused to be moved simultaneously and equal distances to raise or lower said roller 10.. by the adj usting-screws 14, which latter are journaled at their top ends in the braces 15 and are prevented from moving longitudinally therein by theirintegral collars 1b', which bear against the bottom side of the brace 15 and the hubs of the bevel'gears 17, which bear on the opposite side of said brace, andthe latter gears are secured on the top ends of said screws 14 to turn therewith, and the bottom or screw ends of said screws are screwed into the top ends of the boxes 12. The brace 15 is `securely bolted on the topends of the standards 9, and said brace is provided with the end bearings 18, formed integralwith `theV said brace and in which bearings the handshaft l9lis adapted to rotate. The handshaft 19 is provided with the bevel-gears 20, which are keyed or otherwise secured `on said shaft to turn therewith, and said bevels mesh with the bevel-gears 17 to turn the screws 14. A suitable hand-wheel 2l is Asecured on either end of said hand-shaft the most convenient for the operator and by which the shaft 19 is turned when it is required to change or adjust the position of the roller l0. A flour-box 22, having open top and bottom ends, is secured at its ends to and between the box-bearings 12 in such a position that the bottom open end thereof is closed by the roller `10, therebytexposing the said roller 10 to `contact with the ilour contained in said flour-.box 22 to receive a regular and even coating of flour to Aprevent the dough with which it contacts adhering to its surface. A flour-bin 23, composed of the sides 23s and the back 24, is bolted to the standards 9 at the front or feed side of the rollers 7 and 10 and extends across the machine to entirely inclose the front portion of the roller 7 to insure a continuous and even coating or layer of flour to be applied tothe peripheral surface of the roller 7, similar to that of the roller 10 previously described. 25 is aremovable hopper having the inclosing sides 25S, the sloping back 25", and the dividing-partition 25p, which incloses only the top front portion of the hopper and the flour-bin, leaving an extended base-opening connecting the fioul-bin and douglrhopper, the purpose ofwhich I will now proceed to describe. A

series of rocking curved slats 26, 27, and 28 are disposed between 4the dongh-hopper 25 and the Hour-bin 23 and extend across the opening between them and overlap to `form a dividing-partition between said hopper and bin and present their convex surfaces toward thedough contained in the dough-hopperfor the purpose of permitting a slight rocking of the slats to open them for the admission of -flour to the dough with a lninimum degree of resistance and to prevent the dough from being broken at its surface by said slats when thus moved open or closed, and the said slats have their concave faces or sides directed toward the Hour-bin and in contact with the flour contained therein, which form and disposition of said slats is the best calculated to facilitate the iiow of the fiour between them when open into the dough-hopper and against the dough contained therein. The slats 26, 27, and 28 are each provided with the integral arms 29 of equal radii and have their trunnions 30 central on the radial centers of the top portions of the said slats and journaled in suitable bearings formed in the sides 23". The trunnions on one end of each of the slats are made to project:someldistance heyondthe sides 23s of the Hour-bin :to receive the arms 3l and 32,which are keyed orotherwise firmly secured thereon. The arm 3l is prolonged to an extent greater than the arms 32, and on the outer or tree end `thereof is formed a journal-bearing, `in which `is journaled the hand -shaft 33. Intermediate between the free end or shaft/carrying end and the `pivotal center of the arm 3l is connected therod 34, which is alsolconnected at an intel-inediate point `and at its oppositeend to the arms of the intermediate and end slats, `and by means of this connecting-.rod eachof `'the slats 27land 28 are caused to open simultaneously and an equal extent with the slat 2U `when the'arm 31 is moved. The movement of the arm 3l is controlled by a gear-segment 35, which may be `either formed integral with the side 2.5s of the flour-bin 23 or it may be constructed separately and bolted thereto, and the said `segment meshes with a gearpinion 36, keyed or otherwise `firmly secured to the hand-shaft 33, the lattershaft being ro' tated by means of its `hand-wheel 37, also secured on the outer lend of said shaft and by :means of which and the mechanism described ithe slats 26, 27, and 28 are either opened or closed, as required, and the extent of `the opening between the slats is regulated.

A fixed separating-plate 38 extends entirely across `the our-.bin 23 between the slat 2S andthe receiving or feed roller 7 and is provided with the bearingiends or feet,- 30, formed integral thereon, which are rlnly bolted to the side `frames or vsides 23s of the"lour-bin 23. A slight space between the lower edge of the plate 38 and the roller 7 is-provided for the purpose of permitting a thin layer or coating of our to adhereV to the surface of the roller and `be carried over to the dough as the latter enters into the 'bite of the `feed orV dough-receivingrolls to prevent the dough from sticking to said roller 7. For the purpose of facilitating the flow of the flour from the flour-bin 23 through the openings between the slats 2G, 27, andI 28 to and against the dough contained in the dough-hopper 25 I ICO provide a series of agitators 40, which preferably extend across the interior of the bin 23 its entire width and have their projecting ends or edges directed toward the laps or lines of openings between the slats 26, 27, and 28. The agitator-screens or agitators are made, preferably, of wire-netting of sufficient strength and degree of coarseness of mesh to withstand the resistance of the flour when vibrated in the flour, and the said agitator-screens are either bolted, riveted, or otherwise secured to the angle-bars 42. rlhe agitator-frame is composed of the two side bars 4l and the angle-bars 42, which extend across from side bar to side bar and are riveted thereto at their ends to form a rigid frame. The lower ends of the side bars 4l are pivoted to the free ends of the swinging links 43, which latter are pivotally secured to the inner sides of the iour-bin 23, and the4 top ends of the said side bars 4l are each provided with the removable strap-bearings 415, which are adapted to receive the crank-bearings of the crank-shaft 44, by which latter means and the links 43 a combined rotary and reciprocating movement is imparted to the agitators 40. The crank-shaft 44 is inclosed in the iiour-bin 23, at or near the top open port-ion thereof, and is journaled at its ends in suitable bearings, one formed in one of the sides 23S and the removable bearing 44h, secured to the opposing side 23S of said bin 23, said crank-shaft 44 having one of its ends prolonged to receive its driving-belt pulley 45, which is keyed or otherwise secured thereon to tnrn therewith and by which means said crank-shaft is rotated at the required degree of speed.

The main driving-shaft 46 of the machine is journaled in suitable bearings 47, securely bolted to the side frames l and 2, and on one end of said shaft is secured the belt-pulley 48, which is driven by a changeable-speed mechanism hereinafter referred to, and on the opposite end of said shaft is secured the pinion 49, which meshes with the gear-wheel 50, which latter is keyed on the prolonged end of the journal of the roller 7, and by this mechanism said roller 7 is rotated. Gearpinions 5l, having similarly-formed gearteeth and of equal diameters, are secured on one of the ends of the rollers 7 and lO, and said teeth mesh with each other, and the i'orm of prolonged teeth in said pinions is provided for the purpose of permitting the movable or adjustable roller lO to be moved either closerA to or farther from its companion roller 7 without disengagi ng the teeth of the pinions, andby this means a simultaneous rotation of the rollers 7 and l0 is obtained and maintained.

An endless traversing apron 52 is provided between the feed or receiving rollers 7 and l0 and the red ucing-rollers 53 and 54 and passes over its guiding and supporting rollers 55 and 5u, one of which is placed vertically above the other and the driving-roller 57. The rollers 55 and 56 are each journaled in bearings formed in the bearing-bracket 58, securely bolted to the side frames l and 2, and the roller 57 in the brackets 59, secured to the standards 60, and the said roller 57 is rotated by means of the sprocket-chain 6l, extending from a suitable sprocket-wheel on the roller 7 to a sprocket-wheel on the prolonged journal end of the roller 57. 'Fables 56t and 57t are placed and secured in position by anysuitable means between the feed-roller 7 and the apron-roller 56 -and between the apron-roller 57 and the red ucing-roller 53 and are provided for the purpose of filling up the spaces between said oppositely-rotating rollers and preventing the dough from passing between them.

An apron-supporting table 62 is supported by and secured to suitable supporting-feet formed on the journal-brackets 58 and 59 and is provided for the purpose of preventing said apron 62 from sagging when the dough is being traversed in a continuous sliver or ribbon from the feed-rollers 7 and lO to the reducingrollers 53 and 54.

It Will be particularly observed that the apron 52 traverses vertically from the roller 55 to the roller 56, and this portion of said apron is in constant contact with the flour contained in the bottom portion of the flourbin 23, thereby receiving a continuous coating of the iour to be applied to the under surface of the dough in its passage from the receiving or feed rollers 7 and l0 to the reducing-rollers 53 and 54. A reinforcingboard 63 is bolted or otherwise secured at its ends in vertical position to the rear of the vertically-extending portion of the apron 52 to the brackets 58 and is provided for the purpose of forming a'backing for this portion of the apron 52 to resist the pressure of the flou r contained in the bin 23 and to relieve said apron from undue tension.

A closing-roller 64 extends between the lower edge of the swinging bottom (i5 and the apron roller 55 and contacts with both throughout its entire length, and the said roller 64 is journaled at its ends in the bearings 64b, secured to the side frames l and 2. The swinging or drop bottom 65 is held closed by means of the locking-cam G6, having the arm 67, by which said cam is held in contact against said swing-bottom, and said cam G6 is pivotally secured to the side frames 1 and 2 in positions equally distant from and con- IOO IIO

tacting with said drop or swing bottom to hold the latter closed. A tension-rollerl G8, of a length equal to thewidth ot the apron 52, bears on the top of the slack side of the apron and.has it-s journal ends bearing in the free ends of the swinging links 69, which latter are pivotally secured to the side frames l and 2.

A Hour-box 70 extends over the apron 52 and is provided with the ilouring-rollers 7l, which latter are journaled at their ends in the sides of said ilouring-box toward the b0ttom thereof and are adapted to be rotated by Contact with the dough as it passes under them between the inclined or angle hoppers 72, which latter almost close the space intervening between the rollers and said hopperboards, leaving a space only suicient to permit a thin layer or coating of iiour to adhere to said tlouring-rollers and to be applied to the surface of the dough as it passes under them. The flour-box is supported at its top front ends of its sides by the bolts 73, passing through the slots 74, formed in said sides and screwed into the standards 9, by which arrangement the front portion of the said tiourbox may be raised or lowered into any desired position and clamped andse-v cured in such position. A supporting-strap is secured to the top portion of the back of said Hour-box 70 by a rivet or other suitable `fastening and is slotted at its other or free end to receive the clamping-bolt 75h, by which means the back end of said ourbox 70 is clamped to the fixed Hour-box 76 over the top reducing-roller 54 to adjust the back end of said box 70 to eithera more elevated or a lower position, as required. The bottom reducing-roller 53 is provided with the lower fixed flour-box 77, which latter extends along the under Side of said roller and completely incloses the bottom halt surface of said roller 53 and is firmly secured at its ends to the inner sides of the standards 60 by the supporting-arms GOs (see Fig. 8) in a manner similar to the supporting means employed in connection with the iiour-box 76, hereinafter described, to retain said box in its fixed and stable position. A yielding or ascending bottom 78 is fitted into the open bottom side of the box 77 and is forced upwardly therein by suitable coil-springs 79, which are of a tension sufiicient to elevate the iiou r contained in said boX 77 against the roller 53, and said elevating-springs 79 rest on suitable supporting plates or shelves 80, secured to the inner sides of the side frames l and 2. It will be observed thatgone lip of each inclined or angle hopper 72 ofthe iouring-boxes is purposely made with a keen edge and bear or contact with that-side of the periphery of the rollers that enters the Hour-box, and said lips are thus for the purpose of removing any dough that might possibly adhere to therollers and preventing the dough from being carried into the Hour-boxes.

The reducing-roller 53 is provided with the end ilanges 8l and has its journal ends journaled in suitable bearings formed in the standards 60, which latter are securely bolted in position on the side frames l and 2, and the roller 5l has its end journals jonrnaled in-the journal-boxes 83, which latter are' adapted to slide in their guideways 82, formed in the standards GO. The iiouring-box 76, previously referred to, has its top and bottom ends open and is placed directly over the roller 54 with its open bottom end inclosing the top portion oi said roller and is firmly secured at senseo its ends and held in fixed position by the distance-arms 76, (see Fig. 8,) which are secured by a rivet or other suitable means at one of their ends and to the boxes 83 by bolts at their other ends. A cross-brace 84:, screws 85, gears 86 and 87, a hand-shaft 88, journaled in the end bearings 89, and a hand-Wheel 90 are also provided for the purpose previously described in connection with the standards 9, and the said parts are similar and alike 'in construction and function, and said mechanism needs no special description. The rollers 53 and 511 are also connected to rotate simultaneously by means of their pinions 91, which are similar in form and construction to the pinions 5l previously described. i The roller 53 is driven or rotated by the sprocketchain 92, extending from a suitable drivingsprocket wheel on the receiving or feed roller .7 to a similar sprocket-wheel secured `on the prolonged end journal ot' the said roller 53.

Suitable counterbalance-springs S3 are interposed between the tops of the lower journal-boxes formed in the standardsGO and the bottoms of the upper journal-boxes 83 and are provided for the purposeot sustaining the weight of the top' roller 54 and the parts connected thereto and for relieving the elevating-screws from undue stress.

The forming or molding die 93 is bolted or otherwise removably secured to the supporting bars or plates 94 and 95, which latter are bolted to the standards 60, and said die 93 is provided with -the` `rectangular receivingopening 931", which extends along andis di-` rected toward the delivering side of the delivering or reducing rollers 53 and 54 and at which opening the dough enters the die as it is discharged from said rollers, and a dischargeopening 93, which opening is of a width, height, and form to reduce the dough as it passes through thedie to the proper form and 'density before being divided or cut oi'f by the dividing-knife 96. Adjustable top and bottom lips or liners 97 and 98 extend along the inner top and bottom portions of the top and bottom walls of the die 93 and have their bearing-surfaces planed truly to fit the top and bottom inclined surfaces of said top and bottom Walls, to which they are secured by the stud-screws 99, which extend through suitable slots formed in said top and bottom Walls to receive their clamping-nuts and by which means said lips or liners 97 and 98 may be placed nearer to or farther from the rollers 53 and 54, as the conditions of the Working of the dough may require. l do not confine myself to any special form of the interior of the die to be employed in connection with this machine, as any die having its interior surfaceformed to mold any required form of loaf may be used without departing from the spirit of my invention.

It will be noted that the form of die illustrated particularly in Figs. 2, 9, and 10 is adapted to one form of loa't` only-namely, that class of loaves in which the center por- 'IOO tions thereof are reduced in area in order that when lully hakod or oveur-d said loaves will expand at such reduced portion or center to the required size and form and which in this case will be uniformly and approximately rectilinear. Another form of mold ing-die 100 is illustrated in Fig. 15 and in which the interior surface is provided with the longitudinally-converging grooves 101 and 102 and which latter exi-end in spiral paths commencing at the ends of the inletopening ofthe die and converging toward the discharge-opening thereof, where said grooves die out or vanish into thc form of the discharge-opening, whether the latter be annular or rectilinear, and the said grooves are provided for the purpose of causing the rolled, iiat, and continuous sliver of dough to be folded, overlapped, or rolled up longitudinally before being discharged from the die 100 and which discharge-opening is formed to give either a round, oval, or rectilinear form to the dough as it is discharged from the die, as required.

The dividing-knife 96 is preferably constructed with a rounded blunt dividing edge, and this form of edge is provided for the purpose of dividing the dough by compression without cutting or severing it at that part of separation, and by this method of dividing the dough the outer skin ot' the latter is preserved without either crack or break, and said knife 96 is adapted to reciprocate vertically with its face in close contact with the discharge. end ofthe die 93 in the guideways 104, which latter are securely bolted to the standards 60. The outer reduced ends of the dividing-knife 96 extend outwardly beyond the side frames 1 and 2, and the said ends 106 are bent vertically to tubular form to receive the stems of the eyeboits 107, which are secured therein by suitable nuts screwed on the threaded ends of said eyebolt-stems. lmngitudinally-adjustable connecting-rods 108 have their top stub ends pivotally connected to the eyes of the eyebolts 107, and their lower stub ends receive the crank-pins 109 secured on the faces of the crank-disks 110. The disks 110 are each secured on the outer projecting ends of the shaft1l1 to turn therewith, and the said shaft 111 is journaled in suitable bearings 112, 'formed in the side frames 1 and 2. A friction-pulley 113 is keyed on the shaft 111, at or about the center portion thereof, and contacts with the friction-cam 111, secured on the shaft 115 and by which cam said pulley is caused to be rotated intermittently. The friction-cam 114 is provided with the peripheral cam-spring 116, which is firmly secured to the cam-center114 at one of its ends and has its opposite bent and yielding end adjustably secured to said cam-center by means of the adjusting-bolt 116, by means of which the said spring is forced outwardly to increase or inwardly to diminish the intensity of its contact with the driven pulley 113. 'lhe are of contact of the friction-spring 116 must be such that the shaft 1li will make one completo revolution to return the knife 96 to its upper or starting position, and the said shaft 111 is prevented from further rotation by the stop or locking .spring 117, which is securely bolted at one end lo the cross-brace 5 and has its Opposite rounded end or locking end 118 adapted lo engage the notch 118, formed in the periphery of the roller 113. A suitable belt-pulley 119 is securely keyed on the end of the shaft 115, and a suitable belt connects this pulley with the pulley 120, keyed on the prolonged journal end ot' the speed-Cone 121. The cones 121 and 122 are similar in form and equal and are provided with suitable end journals which are journaled in the bearings 123, which latter are supported overhead and in a suitable position above the machine.

r rlhe cone 121 is driven by a suitable belt passing over the opposite cone 122, and the velocity ratio of the driving-pulley 120 is either increased or diminished by simply traversing the cone-belt from either right to left, or vice versa, on the cones an amount equal to and corresponding with the required degree of velocity of reciprocation of the dividing-knife 96, and by this means the dough as it is discharged from the forming-die 93 is divided into either larger or smaller sections or divisions of equal size and weight, according to the size, weight, and form of the loaves to be produced. The cone 122 is rotated by its pulley 12a, secured on the prolonged end of the journal end thereof, which latter is connected by a suitable belt to a drivi iig-pulley suitably located on the line of shatting of the factory in whichthe machineis placed. Any ofthe many suitable means (not shown) may be employed in connection with the belt on the cone-pulleys 121 and 122 for the purpose of shifting it into any required position on said cones and for retaining it in such position. Asimilarspeed mechanism is used in connection with the driving-pulley 418, whereby the speed of the feed or receiving rollers 1() and 7 may be varied independently of the speed mechanism lor driving` the knife 96.

A suitable flour-box 125, having a screen bottom and open top, is secured to the guides .101,to be adjustable vertically thereon by suitable clam ping-screws 126. Suitable knockers 127 are secured to' the prolonged ends 106 of the dividing-knife 96, and these are adapted to strike the pieces 128, secured to the bottom of the ends of the flour-box 125, thereby causing a vibration of said flour-box to discharge the flour contained therein in a shower to be precipitated on the dough at that part where the knife 96 descends io divide said dough.

An endless apron 129 extends from the roller 130 to the roller 131 over and under the table 132. The roller 130 is located directly under the dividing-knife 96 and extends along and under the dividing blunt edge thereof and has its journal ends journaled in the box- IOO IIO

IIS

bearin gs 133, which latter are adapted to slide vertically in the supporting-brackets 134, secured to the plates 95, and said boxes 133 rest on resilient cushions 135, which may be of rubber or other similar resilient material that will secure a yielding support to the roller 130 against the shock produced by the knife i as it contacts withtthe latter at the completion of its downward stroke, or steel springs maybe interposed between said boxes 133 and their supporting-brackets 134 to accomplish thedesired result. The roller 131 has its end journals bearing in the adjustable bearings 136, which latter are bolted tothe side frames 1 and 2 and have their positions on said frames adjusted by the adjustingbolts 137. (See Figs. 1, 2, and 3.) A tension-equalizing roller 138 is journaled at its ends in the free ends of the arms 139, and these are pivotally secured to the intermediate table-supporting brace 140. The table 132 is supported bythe table-braces 140 and bolted or otherwise secured thereto, and the said braces are bolted securely to the side frames l and 2.

rlhe finishingI or iiouring rollers 141, 142, and 143 are each of equal diameter and similar form ot' profile, and the forms of the said rollers are dependent entirely on the form of loaves to be passed under them tobe finished. The roller 141 has its end journals bearing in the adjustable bearings 144, which .latter pass through the bottom slotted portion of the suspension-link 145 and are adapted to clamp the latter between the integral collar 146 and the clamping collars or nuts 147, screwed on the threaded ends of the necks of said journal-bearings. The suspensory links 145 are slotted at their top ends to receive the clamping screws 145", by which said links are clamped to the frame 148 and by which means the height of the forward or first finishingroller 141 is adjusted to either a `higher or lower position, as the case may require. The intermediate roller 142 has it-s end journals bearing in suitable bearings formed in the horizontal supporting-bars 149, intermediate between the ends thereof, and the said end journals of the intermediate roller are prolonged beyond the bearings thus formed a suicient distance to receive the knockerwheels 150. The end or last finishing-roller 143 is journaled in the end bearings 15],which latter are similar in construction to the bearings 144, but longer, and are provided with the hand clampingnuts 152, which are adapted to clamp the horizontal supporting or bearing bars 14) to the frame 148. The fratrie 148 is provided with the downwardly-extending arms 153, which are pivot-ally connected to the bearingdooxes 154, secu red to the side frames 1 and 2, and the forward downwardly-extend ing arms 155, which are slotted to receive the clam ping-bolts 156, by which the said depend ing arms are bolted to the side frames 1 vand 2, and whereby the said rollers 141, 142, and 1.43 maybe adjusted to any degree of inclination and secured in such position without a change of position of said rollers individually,

and the said frame 148 is pivotally secured to said side frames 1 and 2 for the purpose of permitting it to be revolved sufficiently to remove any one or all of said finishing-rollers 141, 142, and 143 and replacing them by others without destroying the alinement of said frame. Stiffening-braces 157 extend diagonally from the four top corners of the said frame 148 for the purpose of securing the required rigidity of the saidframe and preserving the alinement of said `finishing-rollers.

A flour-box 158, having an open top and a screen-covered bottom side, is supported between the fralnes 148 directly above the finl ishing-rollers 141, 142, and 143 and beneath the braces 157 by the transversely-extending supporting-braces 159, which latter are secured at their ends to the inner sides of the frames 148.

Vertically-extending spring-rods 160 are adapted to slide longitudinally in the stirrups 161, which latter are secured to the frames `148 and the guide-brackets 163, secured on opposite sides of the tiouring-box 158, both of said brackets 163 and said stirrups 161 being drilled to loosely receive said rod and disposed one directly above the other to preserve the vertical alinement of said spring-rod 160. Coil-springs 164 surround the spring-rods 1160 between the collars 162 thereof and the guide-brackets 163, between which said springs are compressed, and while 'the knockerwheels 150 are rotating the teeth of saidwheels alternately contact with the bottom projecting ends of said spring-rods 160 to force them upwardly to compress said coil-springs 164, and immediately said spring rods 160 are released the latter descend rapidly against the stirrups 161, therebyimparting a slight Vibration to the Hour-box 158 suilicient to cause the required quantity of flour to be sprinkled on the loaves of bread as they pass under the finishing-rollers 141, 142, and 143. The roller 131 is driven by a sprocket chain 165, which passes over a sprocket on the journal end of the roller 53 and a sprocket of suitable diameter on the end of the said roller 131.

Any suitable receptacle may be placed at the discharge end of the apron 129 for the purpose of receiving any of the loaves that might be permitted to remain too long a time on the said apron and to prevent such loaves falling on the ground or floor of the factory.

The sides of the standards 9 and 60 are graduated, as shown particularly in Fig. 1, and suitable pointers are secured to the sliding boxes 12 and 83 to indicate the spaces be tween the rollers 7 and 10 and the rollers 53 and 54.

The operation of the machine will be read ily understood from the following: The dough having been prepared in the customary way in any dough-mixing machine is depositedin the hopper 25, and said dough by its gravity descends to the bottom of the hopper and con- IIO tacts with the receiving-rollers 7 and 10 and at the same time contacts at its under side with the slats 2G, 27 and 28 and receives a coating of flour on this surface as the latter is being discharged through the Slat-openings, as previously described, and said rollers 7 and 10 draw the dough between them to reduce it to a sliver or ribbon of uniform width and thickness, which latter dimension or primary thickness is determined by experiment-and the needed density of the dough. rlhe sliver or ribbon of dough is discharged from said rollers 7 and 10 onto the endless apron 52, by which latter said dough is traversed to the reducing-rollers 53 and 54, having been previously coated with flour on both of its sides or surfaces simultaneously by the flouri ng-rollers 71 on its top side andthe flourcoated apron 52 on its bottom side, and the said dough is discharged from said reducingrollers 53 and 54, which have been previously adjusted and set to reduce the dough to the proper degree of density and thickness, to and into the molding or forming die 93, by which latter said dough is molded into form. The divi 'lingknife 9o is maintained in its upper position for a period of time sufficient to permit the proper quantity of dough to pass under it to produce the required size and weight of loaf, at which time said knife 96 descends rapidly upon the dough and against the forward apron-roller 130 to sever or divide the dough. The periods of rest between the reciprocations of the knife 96 are readily regulated and adjusted by the speed-cones 121 and 122 by moving the belt on said cones into such position to impart the desired degree of velocity of rotation to the crank-shaft 111. and by these means the dough canin its passage from the die 06 to the apron 129 be accurately divided into loaves of bread of equal weights, sizes, and density. The dough thus divided is conveyed by the apron 129 under the finishing-rollers 141, 142, and 143, by means ot' which latter, the profiles of which are made to conform with the form of bread or loaves desired, the divided portions of the dough or loaves are further rolled into form or molded and receive a final coating of flour before being taken off said apron 149 and placed into the oven.

Having thus fully described this my invention, Whatl claim as new and useful, and desire to cover by Letters Patent of the United States therefor, isv 1. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with a dough-receiving hopper having its top and base open, and receiving or feed rollers extending in front of the base-opening of said hopper, a flour-bin adjacent to said hopper, and a partition between said hopper and said liour-bin having' openings connecting said flour-bin and said hopper.

2. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with a dough-receivinghopper having its top and base open, and receiving or feed rollers extending across said hopper in front of said base-opening thereof, of a Hour-bin adjacent to said hopper and a slatted partition between said flour-bin and said hopper. Y

3. In an automatic bread-makingmachine, the combination with a dough-receiving hopper having top and base openings, receiving or feed rollers extending across said hopper in front of said base-opening thereof of a flour-bin adjacent to said hopper and a series of overlapping slats between said bin and said hopper and means whereby said slats are moved to open or to close.

4. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with a dough-receiving hopper having top and base openings, receiving or feed rollers extending across said hopper in front of said base-opening thereof, of a flour-bin contiguous to said hopper and a series of overlapping slats extending across said iiour-bin between the latter and the said hopper, and pivotally mounted at their ends and means exterior of said bin for rocking said slats to either open or close and for retaining them in either open or closed position.

5. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with a dough-receiving hopper having an open top and base, receiving or feed rollers extending across said hopper in front of the base-opening thereof, a flourbin contiguous to said hopper, aseries of overlapping segmental formed slats extending across said flour-,bin between the latter and said hopper, said slats having their convex surfaces exposed or directed toward the interior of said hopper and pivotally mounted at their ends and means exterior of said bin for rocking said slats to either open or close and to retain them in either open or closed position.

6. In an automatic bread-making machine, the com binationwith a dough-receiving hopper having an open and top base, receiving or feed rollers extending across said hopper in front of said base-opening, of a Hour-bin contiguous to said hopper, a series of overlapping segments or slatsextending across said flour-bin between the latter and said hopper, said segments or slats having their convex surfaces directed toward the interior of said hopper,arms on the ends of said slats and extending back wardly from the concave sides of said slats, trunnions or journals extending outwardly from said armsand having their axes coinciding with the radial centers of the top segmental portions of said slats, means or bearings for supporting said trunnions, arms on one of the ends of said trunnions, a rod connecting said arms, a. shaft jourualed in the prolonged end of one of said arms, a hand-wheel and a pinion on said shaft, and a fixed toothed segment meshing with said pinion.

7. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with a dough-receiving hopper having its top and base ends open, a flour- IOO IIO

bin contiguous to the front of said hopper, a separating-partition extending downwardly between the top portions of said hopper and said bin, of a series of overlapping slats horizontally disposed across the lower opening connecting said hopper and said bin to form alowerseparating-partition,and means whereby said slats are moved to either open or to close and for retaining them in either open or closed position.

b'. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with a dough-receiving hopper having its top and baseends open, a flourbin contiguous to the front of said hopper and a partition between said Hour-bin and said hopper' having a plurality of openings connecting the former with the latter, of a series of slats arranged in parallel rows one above the other and each opposite one of said partition-openings, and means for rocking said slats, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In an automatic breadmaking machine, the combination with a doughrecciving hop per having its top and base ends open, a flourbin contiguous to the front of said dough-rcceiving hopper and a separating-partition between said liourbin and said douglrreceiving hopper, and having a plurality of openings arranged in parallel rows and connecting the dough-receiving hopper with the bin, of a series of im perfor-ate slats arranged in parallel rows and each having its edge directed toward its opposing partition-opening, and means for rocking said slats.

10. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with a dough-receiving hop per having its iop and base ends open, a flourbin contiguous to the front of said hopper, a separating-partition between the said doughreceiving hopper and said flour-bin and having a plurality of parallel openings connecting said bin and said hopper.

l1. In an automatic bread-makin g machine, the combination with a dough-receiving hop per having its top and base ends open, upper and lower receiving-rollers extending across and in front of the base-opening of said hopper, a fiour-bin having an open top, situated in front of said hopper and extending across and downwardly beneath said hopper and said lower receiving-roller to inclose the latter, an apron reinforcing board extending across the'base-opening of said flour-bin to the rear of the discharge side of said receivin g-roller, an apron-roller above said reinforcing-board, a closing plate or table extending along and between said apron and receiving or feed roller, a lower apron-roller beneath said reinforcing-board and an endless apron passing over said upper and said lower apronrollers through the interior of said bin in front of said reinforcing-board, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with a dough-receiving hopper having its top and base ends open, upper and lower receiving or feed rollers extending across and in front of the base-opening of said hopper, of a flour-bin, having an open top, situated in frontof andextendingacross and downwardly beneath said hopper and the lower receiving or feed -roller to inclose the saine, andan apron-reinforcing board extending across the baseopening ot' said Hour-bin to the rear or discharge side of said bottom receiving or feed roller, an apron-roller above said closing-board, a reinforcing-board extending along and between said apron and said receiving or feed roller, a lower apronroller beneath said rein forcing-board, an endless apron passing over said upper and said lower apron-rollers through the interior of said bin in front of said reinforcing-board, and a closing-roller contacting with and extending across along and between said lower apron-roller and the lower edge of the front wall of said flour-bin, substantially as and for the purpose set fort-h.

13. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with upper adjustable and lower fixed receiving or feed rollers, upper adjustable and lower fixed reducing-rollers, of a traversing apron extending between said receiving or feed rollers and said reducingrollers, means for coating said rollers and said apron with dry flour, and means for dusting the top surface of the product as itis traversed between said pairs of receiving or feed and reducing rollers, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

llt. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with an upper adjustable and lower fixed receiving or feed roller and an upper adjustable and a lower xed reducing-roller, an apron-supporting table extending between said pairs, of receiving or feed rollers and said reducing-rollers, and an apron adapted to traverse over the top surface of said table, of means for coating said apron and said rollers with dry Hour, and `means for dusting the top surface of the product as it is traversed between the pairs of rollers.

15. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with an upper adjustable roller and a lower fixed feed or receiving roller, and an upper adjustable and a lower reducing-roller, an apron-supporting table extending between said pairs of receiving or feed rollers and said red licingrolle1s,an apron adapted to traverse over said table and means for coating the surface of said apron with dry flour, of a Hour-,box above said apron and a series of iiouring-rollers having their upper sides contacting with the dry flour contained IOO I'IO

in said flour-box, and their lower sides proing-roller, a supporting-table between said pairs of receiving and said red ucing rollers. :in apron adapted to traverse over said table and means for coating said apron with dry flour, of a flour-box above said traversing apron, a series of flouring-rollers extending across the base of said flour-box, in the same horizontal plane and parallel to each other, and anglehoppers between each of the pairs of said ouring-rollers.

17. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with an upper adjustable roller and a lower fixed or feed roller, an upper adjustable roller and a fixed reducingroller, an apron-supporting table between said pairs of receiving or feed and said reducing rollers,aproncarrying rollers contiguous to the ends of said apron-supporting table, an endless apron passing over said apronrollers and over and under said table and fixed closing plates or tables between said apron-rollers and said fixed receiving or feed roller and said fixed reducing-roller, of a flour-box above said traversing apron, a series of fiouring-rollers extending across the base of said box in the same horizontal plane and parallel with each other, and angle-hoppers extending along and between each of the pairs of' said flouring-rollers with their angles or corners directed upwardly in the interior of said flour-box.

1S. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with an upper adjustable roller and lower fixed receiving or feed roller, of a flour-box above said upper roller and having its top and bottom ends open, said open bottom end adapted to receive and to inclose the top half of said adjustable top roller, a lower flour-box beneath said xed roller and having its top and bottom ends open, said top end adapted to receive and to inclose the bottom half of said fixed roller, and an ascending bottom or base in said lower flour-box.

I9. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with upper adjustable and lower fixed rollers, of a iiour-box above said upper roller and having its top and bottom ends open, said open bottom end adapted to receive and to inclose the top half of said adjustable roller, a lower Hour-box having its top and bottom ends open, said top open end adapted to receive and to inclose the bottom half of said fixed roller, a removable ascending bottom in the latter flour-box, and means for automatically moving` said ascending bottom toward said fixed roller as the flour is used, and means for cleaning said top, and bottom rollers while they are in motion.

20. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with upper adjustable and lower fixed rollers, of a Hour-box above said upper roller and having its top and bottom ends open, said bottom end adapted to receive and to in close the top half of said upper roller, a depending lip having its reduced or knife edge contacting with and extending along the entering side of said roller, a lower flour-box beneath said lowerxed roller and having its lop and bottom ends open, said top end adapted to receive and to inclose the bottom half of said fixed roller, a projecting lip having its reduced or knife edge extending across and cont-acting with the entering side of said fixed roller, a removable ascending bottom in said lower Hour-box, springs under said ascending bottom, and means for supporting said springs, all substantially as and for the purpose set fort-h.

2l. In an automat ic bread-making m achine', the combination with an upper adjustable roller and a lower fixed roller, of a forming die or mold having closed sides, top and bottom, and open receiving and discharging ends, said receiving end directed toward the discharging side of said rollers, and means for dividing the product into equal sections or parts as it is discharged from said die.

22. In anautomaticbread-makingmachine, the combination with an upper adjustable roller and a lower fixed roller, of a forming die or mold having closed sides, top and bottom, and open receiving and discharging ends, said receiving end directed toward the discharging side of said rollers and said receiving end of said die of larger area than the discharging end thereof, and said discharging-openingformed to impart the desired form to the product as it is discharged from said die orfmold, and means whereby the product is divided into equal sections or parts as it is discharged from said die.

28. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with an upper adjustable roller and a lower fixed roller, of a forming die or mold having closed sides, top and bottom, and open receiving and discharging ends, said forward or receiving end of rectilinear form and extending along the entire length of said rollers at their discharging side, and said rear or discharging opening of said die of lesser or reduced area than said forward or receiving opening, and of a form conforming withthe desired form of the product, upper and lower interior liners in said die, and means whereby said liners are moved and adjusted in position nearer to or farther from said rollers.

24. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with an upper adjustable roller and a lower fixed roller, of a forming die or mold having closed sides, top and bottom and having open receiving and discharging or forming ends, a reciprocating knife extending over and along the discharge open end of said die and means for reciprocating said knife and retaining it in close contact with the die at the discharging or molding opening thereof.

25. In an automatic bread-making machine, the combination with an upper adjustable roller and a lower fixed roller, of a forming or molding die having closed sides, top and bottom and end open receiving and discharging or forming openings, of a vertically-recipro- IOO IOS

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